Communities Directory: Tacoma Catholic Worker

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Formed: 1989 Established: 1989

Tacoma Catholic Worker

Tacoma, Washington,

United States

The Tacoma Catholic Worker provides transitional housing for single homeless adults. We live with the 5---10 guests we serve. People on the street can take showers, use our bathroom and phone, and get mail. We try to help find shelter, drug-treatment, or mental-health services. We accept no grants or government money; funds are donated.

Spring 1999 will see 9---10 Catholic Workers. Each receives a (tiny) $40/month stipend. The underfunded Washington State health plan may someday cover us too. Staff gather at morning meeting/prayer and occasional retreats. We work on political issues that impact the poor and publish a newsletter noted among Catholic Workers for occasional humor.

Each Tuesday, people of all walks of life share a meal and liturgy in our living room. This is usually Catholic mass-ish, with women or men leading. We make no spiritual requirements on guests.

We helped start a four-acre organic garden on nearby empty lots. A visitor commented that our poor neighborhood feels like a "village." How will gentrification affect it? We are working to sustain our diverse community, starting in our houses and gardens (with many hands and hearts) and growing.

"Women and accordion players get special preference--not a quota, just a goal."

Contact:

1417 S G St
Tacoma, Washington 98405-4437 United States
Phone: 253-572-6582
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Former/Other Names: Guadalupe House

This data is based on the FIC's Communities Directory 2000 edition, www.ic.org, and/or cohousing.org.

Visitors Accepted

Population Adult Members: 11 Child Members: 1 Open to new adults: No Open to new children: No Gender Balance: 55% M 27% F	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (Donations come from our supporters into common accounts/support communal expenses and projects. Individuals have private accounts as well for personal needs, financed by side jobs, etc. We share the work and receive $40/month stipends.) Join Fee: No
Land and Buildings Urban Area: 4 acres (1.6 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 5	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: Nearly all dinners Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Prohibited Tobacco Use: Seldom used	Social Factors Shared Spiritual Path: Yes Which Spiritual Path(s): Roman Catholic Educational Style(s): Public schooled

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